Cracked Chimney

Cracks in your chimney don’t just look bad; they can also be a sign of a more serious structural issue. Here at Matvey Foundation Repair, we’ll comprehensively inspect your cracked chimney and implement repairs.

With over 27 years of servicing Seattle and Western Washington homes, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands when you work with our experienced team.

Here’s what you need to know about finding chimney cracks, common causes, and how to fix them.

What Are Chimney Cracks?

Ranging from hairline fractures to chipped bricks to gaping cracks, chimney cracks include small fractures, fissures, or large separations in your brick, stone, or cement chimney. These cracks can vary in width, length, depth, and location and may be isolated or run in clusters. Very minor cracks from expansion and contraction can be normal, but if you have significant issues or concerns, your home may have compromised structural integrity.

How Do I Know If My Chimney Has Dangerous Cracks?

Chimney cracks aren’t always obvious. They can appear on chimney corners, crown, cap, inner flue, exterior façade, or foundation, making it hard to identify them until they become more serious. Here are several signs that your chimney has cracks in near of repair:

• Cracks wider than 1/4 inches
• Gaps between bricks or stones
• Leaning, bowing, or detached sections
• Lightning-bolt-shaped cracks
• Missing, crumbling, or broken masonry
• New cracks after storms
• Off-center crowns or caps
• Worsening existing cracks

Why Do Chimneys Crack?

Foundation Settlement

Shifting soil, poor drainage, and uneven settling are common culprits for cracked chimneys. Expansion and contraction from sudden temperature changes can also cause settlement problems. When your foundation settles, it stresses your home’s entire structure, making its way up to your chimney.

Age and Wear

Over time, exposure to the elements can cause natural issues. Sun exposure, rain damage, wind, and temperature changes gradually weaken masonry mortar joints, leading to crumbling and detached bricks or stones. If your chimney is more than 50 years old, it may be time to repair the materials.

Improper Construction

Poorly built chimneys may already be structurally weak to start. In this case, you may need an entirely new chimney.

Accidents

If a fallen branch or extreme weather impacts your chimney, there may be cracks and other types of damage needing repairs. Even more discreet damage from ladders can damage fragile bricks.

Excess Moisture

Moisture problems weaken porous chimney materials. Frequent freeze-thaw cycles can also cause brick and mortar to burst and crack.

Earth Shifts

Seattle and Western Washington are prone to foundation settlement issues due to clay and sandy soil expansion problems, earthquakes, and more. Our team is experienced in resolving settlement issues in the area and can resolve ground movements to prevent structural distress in your home.

Repairing Cracked Chimneys

Cracked chimneys require immediate attention, and Matvey Foundation Repair’s knowledgeable crew has several tried-and-true methods to restore your home’s structural integrity and prevent future cracks. Here are the techniques we use:

Epoxy Injection

A special epoxy resin works like glue to seal unsightly cracks and hold the materials together again. We inject the epoxy by carefully assessing the situation and marking injection ports along the cracks. One of our skilled pros will slowly pump the epoxy into the cracks using low pressure.

Fixing Mortar Between Bricks

Mortar holds the chimney’s bricks together, but when it’s crumbling or missing, you’ll need new mortar. We’ll remove the old mortar material and replace it using fresh cement for a sound and secure chimney.

Adding Reinforcement

Sometimes, fixing your cracked chimney goes beyond repairing the cracks and straight to stabilizing the structure. We use steel bands and rebar for extra structural reinforcement measures if your cracked chimney is susceptible to future issues.

Crown Repair

Damaged chimney crowns may require replacing. A skilled installer can rebuild your crown using the correct dimensions and slope and use water-mitigating strategies like new sealers around the crown to prevent water from infiltrating the underlying masonry.

Chimney Relining

Defective flues may need relining services to prevent corrosion and water damage. At Matvey Foundation Repair, our team uses specialty materials to reline chimneys and restore them to their original state.

Why Address Cracked Chimneys ASAP?

You should address cracked chimneys as soon as possible for several reasons:

• A compromised structural integrity can cause it to collapse.
• Large gaps can accelerate water infiltration and decay.
• Uneven sections worsen over time.
• Damaged flue liners can cause dangerous indoor exhaust leaks.
• Crumbling debris can fall on you, your family, or your valuables.
• Untreated issues increase in cost if untreated.
• Cracks from air leaks can cause inefficient appliances.

Contact Matvey Foundation Repair for Chimney Crack Repairs

FAQs

Is my home’s foundation impacted if I have a cracked chimney?

Cracked chimneys can either be localized or widespread depending on your home. If you have a compromised foundation, it’s important to address these cracks before the problem worsens. Speak with one of our foundation repair experts to discover the root cause of your cracked chimney. 

How often should I inspect my chimney for cracks or damages? 

We recommend you inspect your chimney once a year before winter. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes or extreme weather conditions, you may want to inspect your chimney more frequently. Our team offers annual inspection services as part of your comprehensive chimney maintenance plan.

Does homeowner’s insurance typically cover chimney crack repairs?

It depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover sudden damage from impact, but natural wear and tear probably won’t be covered. Call your insurance company to see if they’ll cover your cracked chimney.